QuestionI have owned th ecar since new. It sat for over 20 years in parents garage. Upon takingit out of storage, I replaced all hoses, gaskets, seals, tires, anything thats holds, contains fluids or air.
I drove the car about 60 miles, filled it up and since the car runs about 95 to 120 seconds and quits, as if it ran out of fuel. I have to let it sit for a day and I repeat the same thing. The car has been in California alls it "life". I was told a gas tank would fix it, then I was told not so...any ideas?
Thank you.
Marc
AnswerHi Marc,
Replacing a gas tank because that might be the problem is a bad method of finding the problem. The best method is to test when it quits. All spark ignited piston engines operate the same. They require 3 things to run. Compression, fire and fuel. When they quit one or more of the 3 has failed. Compression will usually not fail then return the next day so you have lost fire or fuel after the 95 to 120 sec.
Run the engine until it quits and pull a spark plug and lay it up on the valve cover with it's plug wire attached and have someone try to restart the engine. Watch the spark at the plug gap (not in bright sun light). The spark should be a thick blue spark. A thin yellow or orange spark or no spark is a sign of a problem in the ignition system. If you have a thick blue spark, get a spray can of something like WD-40 or starting fluid from any auto parts store. (You should have a fire extinguisher handy any time you work with a flammable sprays) Have someone try to start the engine while you spray into the air filter. If the engine tries to start or it starts then dies, You need to check fuel pressure at the fuel line going into the carb.
A fuel pressure gauge is not expensive and available at any auto parts store and usually comes with a "T" connection. Fuel pressure should be about 1 1/2 to 2 1/2 PSI.
If you don't have good fuel pressure you need to work your way back toward the tank. Inline fuel filter first (if it has one) Fuel pump next. If that is OK, check the fuel line from the tank to the pump, then the pick-up pipe in the tank. To check the pick up in the tank you need to see if fuel runs out of the line freely. If not remove the gas cap and with an air hose blow back into the tank through the fuel line, then see if fuel will run out.
This is how any repair shop would proceed with what you have.
Let me know,
Howard
